Heart Infections
Tell-tale symptoms include sharp chest pain that is aggravated by respiration or lying down. The pain frequently eases when the afflicted individual leans forward or moves to a sitting position. Fever may be present, and a rapid or irregular heart beat may ensue. Treatment with antibiotics is usually indicated, as pericarditis will sometimes resolve without the need for more drastic measures to be taken.
Sometimes, an excessive accumulation of fluid accompanies pericarditis and restricts blood flow into the heart's ventricles, a condition called pericardial effusion. When this condition becomes severe enough to compromise venous blood flow to the heart, therapeutic drainage of the fluid is required.
When acute pericarditis is left unchecked, constrictive pericarditis can develop, in which the pericardium becomes thickened, scarred, and adherent to underlying muscle (myocardial) tissue. This may constrict the heart and hence prevent it from contracting normally. When this occurs, surgical removal of the pericardium is sometimes necessary.
Tuberculosis pericarditis is caused by the tuberculosis bacterium, and produces symptoms similar to those of constrictive pericarditis. When treatment with antituberculosis drugs fails, surgical removal of the pericardium may be indicated.
Acute Myocarditis:
Acute myocarditis may be caused by rheumatic fever, but it is more often the result of viral infection. The Coxsackie virus is frequently the culprit. Because myocarditis causes damage to the heart's muscular tissue, the heart's ability to contract efficiently may be impaired. However, it is important to note that damage can range from trivial to severe; hence, not all cases of myocarditis are clinically significant. When the damage incurred is such that it interferes with the heart's contractibility, arrythmias (heart-rythm disturbances) and/or congestive heart failure may ensue. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the requirements of the body.
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for the Coxsackie virus at present. However, research is being conducted on the efficacity of certain antiviral agents.
Endocarditis:
Endocarditis is caused by bacteria which enters the bloodstream and produces an infection of the inner lining of the heart, which frequently affects and hence damages valvular tissue. Endocarditis may be acute or subacute. In both cases, the clinical presentation is similar, as organisms cluster to form vegetations on valvular tissue, which impair a valve's ability to "seal" off one section of the heart from another. The damaged, leaky valves become inflamed and may even adhere to surrounding tissue. Hence, they are no longer able to open and
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